Peaches Hothouse.

Watermelon Salad with Arugula and Pickled Ginger

Last week I had the pleasure of accompanying my wonderful friend Kristen of Gadabout Food to try Peaches Hothouse in Bed-Stuy. It is a southern-style restaurant with incredible fried chicken, cornbread, and a delicious selection of creatively named cocktails. Many thanks to Chef Femi Frazer for giving me a little taste of home here in Brooklyn. 

BBQ Shrimp with Crispy Grits 

Pot Roast Special with Grits, Carrots, and Onions

Hot Chicken with Bacon-Potato Salad and Cornbread

I apologize for the lack of Makena-smiling-with-food photos but I had just run through an unforeseen downpour when I arrived. If you're in the area, you've got to check out this restaurant! 

Until next time! 

To Fair Verona.

I forgot to post this picture before I left. It's a dinner I made for my last night in America. I found the recipe on the Sweet Paul Blog. Chicken drumsticks coated in salt and pepper, black olives, lemon/lemon juice, and parsley. Simple and delicious! 

It is currently 28 degrees here in Firenze. I am trying to convince myself to leave the apartment. It is the coldest winter Italy has seen in 27 years. Why, of all times, now? I despise the cold. 

This weekend we are leaving for a three day excursion to Verona, Lake Garda, and Mantova. Though it is colder there, I am excited to see some other parts of Italy! To go to fair Verona, the town of Romeo and Juliet. To see Lake Garda, about which I have heard such beautiful things. I will be taking many pictures. 

Yesterday I had my Wine Culture in Italy class for the first time. In two hours I learned the whole process of wine tasting, and even got to taste a Prosecco and a Chianti. We also get to go on a field trip to a winery! Needless to say, I am very excited about this course. 

Ok, I think I will do something with this day before we leave for Verona. Have a wonderful Friday, everyone! 

  My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

    1 John 2:1-2

      

Returning To Macon.

If you're reading this, I am currently on my way back to Macon, GA for my lovely big's debutante ball! (Expect many pictures upon my return)

Until then, please drool over these delicious appetizers I made for my grandpa's 81st birthday dinner. 

 Thanks pinterest for this idea! Cherry tomatoes with mozzarella, dried basil, and balsamic vinaigrette. 

Feta cheese ball! Absolutely delicious. You can find the recipe here. 

I know it's only Thursday but have a great weekend! 

Less than 10 days until Christmas!

41 days until Italy!!! 

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

    2 Thessalonians 2:13 

Marshmallow and Hazelnut Globes

I found this delicious recipe on sweetpaul.com. Sweet Paul is a wonderful online magazine full of delicious recipes and crafts! Their blog is great, as well. 

I love the holidays. So many excuses to cook! 

Lately I have been thankful for God's perfection, in particular. I struggle with pride and feeling like I always have to be perfect. I tend to beat myself up when I fall short. But God's grace is enough! He is perfect! He has a perfect plan and all I have to do is keep my focus on Him. It's much easier said than done. I know I have shared this verse before, but I always come back to it. 

"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

No matter who you are, no matter what situation you are facing, God will work it for good. Just look to Him!

I love all of Romans 8. 

Pumpkin Coffee Cake.

I had never been much of a baker before I went to college and didn't have a kitchen. Now, whenever I am home, I have an overwhelming desire to bake all of the things I have pinned on pinterest. This is my first full-fledged baking post. Enjoy! 

How to make the most amazing Pumpkin Coffee Cake:

 You will need water, pureed pumpkin (15oz), 2 whole eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cups flour, 1/3 cups walnuts (chopped, I chose not to include them), 4 tablespoons butter (melted), 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

Instructions:

preheat oven to 350F

in a large bowl, mix together the water, pumpkin, 1 tablespoon of vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and eggs until combined

add the cake mix and baking soda and mix until just combined 

Grease a 9x13 pan with butter and pout the batter into the pan

In a small bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, walnuts, and melted butter

 use your fingers to sprinkle over top of the cake, bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean

and now for the glaze...combine the other 1/2 cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and heavy cream in a saucepan. bring to a simmer. remove from heat and stir until all sugar is dissolved.

and now we wait...

when cake is finished, poke holes in the top with a toothpick then pour the glaze over the cake. cover all surfaces. enjoy warm or at room temperature by the fire with a cup of coffee. 

original recipe found here

Have a great day! 

God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality (in His name), He will give eternal life.

       Romans 2:6-7

Look What I Made!

At school I don't have a kitchen, so the majority of the semester I dream of all the foods I want to cook. Pinterest has a lot to do with the recipe hunting. As soon as I get home it's time to cook. The parents really enjoy this. First I made Apple Streusel Muffins. They were DELICIOUS. I love fall flavors like apple, pumpkin, and cinnamon. I found a great blog post chock full of fall recipes, enjoy. And I saw some gorgeous orange leaves today. Pictures to come soon!
Happy Friday. TGIF. 

 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

          1 Corinthians 10:24

Delightful.

This week and through the weekend is the NCHJA Annual Horse Show. It is certainly a great part of my summer. My mom has been organizing much of it and I came out to help last Sunday. At the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh the Arabian/Mini horse show was just finishing up. 

 So cute!! 

 Tiny horse trailer!

 Top-Lamade, Jeans-Seven For All Mankind

Necklace from Anthropologie 

My sister, Olivia, and I stopped at Whole Foods on the way home last night and bought us a wonderful dinner. Though I can't remember the name, the pasta was fantastic! And we had some green bean salad on the side and Italian soda to drink. 

So how about last night the Gamecocks won the COLLEGE WORLD SERIES! For the second year in a row! What a fantastic team. I am so proud to go to the University of South Carolina.

"Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."
2 Thessalonians 3:1

I hope you are having a great week! Happy Wednesday!

After Malison.

I am a baker! I made these incredible cupcakes yesterday. From scratch. You heard me. I got the recipe here. Look how pretty they are! I also found a ton of other delicious looking recipes in the process, you can see them on my pinterest. 

I am about to watch The Adjustment Bureau. I hope it's good! It looks pretty interesting. But, speaking of interesting, I have something else to share with you. I have been reading David Sedaris' Barrel Fever and other stories and have fallen in love with the story After Malison. Please read it. It's about the so-called "transparency" of people and I definitely could relate. His writing is supreme. I can't get enough.

So I have a ton of pictures I wanted to post, but I think I need to start spreading them out. My goal is to start having a post every day but Sunday. I guess that means I have to engage in blog-worthy activities every day. Sounds like a rewarding challenge. 

"He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours, but also for the sins of the whole world."

1 John 2:2

That's the Gospel right there. What a wonderful God, that He would give His son to take the wrath we all deserve. 

Solid As A Rock.

An outfit post is coming later this week, but I thought I would post some pictures from Mother's Day!

I made dinner for Mom and the family. The entree: baked ziti (penne), and lemon bars for dessert.

Please enjoy some pet pictures, as well. Hardy, my horse and Wilaby one of my three corgis.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28